Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education Licensure

Early Childhood Ed and Early Childhood Special Ed Licensure Overview

The goal of the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative – Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Educator (HEC – EC/ECSE) licensure programs is to increase the number of licensed educators in these fields.  These programs are specifically designed to be accessible and affordable for educators who are currently employed on a full-time basis.  Courses are provided on-site, through interactive television, online, or through a combination of all of these.  In order to build a peer support system, these programs use a cohort model.

Features of HEC-EC/ECSE Tier 1 & 2 Programs

  • Graduate level UVM courses
  • Courses fulfill requirements to add an ECE or ECSE endorsement
  • Licensure coursework lays the foundation for a Master’s Degree in education

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Courses of Study

The Vermont Higher Education Collaborative – Early Childhood & Early Special Educators (HEC-EC/ECSE) program is a multi-tiered set of programs leading to educator licensure.

Tier 1 Program – EC/ECSE Endorsement

  • Designed for educators who currently possess or who are eligible for a Vermont educator license
  • Programs include courses needed to fulfill licensure competencies enabling the educator to add an ECE (18 credits) or ECSE (21 credits) endorsement
  • These EC/ECSE courses are graduate level courses

Tier 2 Program – EC/ECSE Initial License

  • For educators who have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a related field
  • EC/ECSE programs are 21-30 credits; the specific number of courses will be based on the individual’s professional and academic background
  • Participants in the Tier 2 programs take the same courses as Tier 1; however in order for Tier 2 candidates to meet Vermont’s requirements for initial licensure, they must also complete a supervised student teaching experience and a licensure portfolio.

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Sequence of Courses and Course Descriptions

Early Childhood Educator Program:

  • Advanced Child Development
  • Curriculum Development I
  • Investigations in PreK – Grade 3 Science and Social Studies
  • Early Language and Literacy
  • Explorations in PreK – Grade 3 Mathematics
  • Teaching PreK – Grade 3 Language Arts
  • Student Teaching

Early Childhood Special Educator Program:

  • Advanced Child Development
  • Curriculum Development I
  • Introduction to I/ECSE
  • Early Language and Literacy
  • Assessment/Curriculum in ECSE
  • Assessment/Curriculum in EI
  • Collaboration with Families & Agencies
  • Student Teaching

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Application and Admissions Requirements

Tier 1 requires that applicants possess or are eligible for a Vermont educator license.

Tier 2 applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or a related area and at least three years experience.

Contact Kim McKellar, kim.mckellar@vthec.org, to request an application for the program.

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